what's the deal about Anthias?

[viodea]

Seems like there are so many people love Anthias but they don't do much for me, at least judged by the pictures that I see on LA.

Are they the kind of spices that you need to know more about them before you really appreciate them?

[LobsterOfJustice]

A single individual isn't much to look at, but a whole group looks better than any other individual fish IMO.

[viodea]

do they interact with each other a lot or just "hang" together?

[BigJay]

I'm with you, blue chromis are prettier than anthias.

The only exception is maybe the one striking male anthias in a whole group of 6 or so fish.

[MattL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14479335#post14479335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by viodea
Seems like there are so many people love Anthias but they don't do much for me, at least judged by the pictures that I see on LA.See them in person, then you'll understand. Many fish photograph poorly, or have poor stock photos. These fish are often the best kept secrets in the hobby. I can't help but wonder if it is intentional.

Matt:cool:

[SDguy]

You can get anthias which are all the colors of a sunset, or a burning flame, in all sorts of combinations and gradations..they are gorgeous, even on their own. I agree with Matt...until you've seen healthy, established specimens in person, it's really not fair to judge.....

But I'm not sure how to convince someone to like a fish they don't like. :confused: If you don't like it, you don't like it....

[michellejy]

Fortunately, there is enough variety in saltwater fish that you don't need to get a fish that doesn't appeal to you. I love the movement and coloring of my lyretail anthias, but I've never seen a picture that even begins to show how beautiful they are in person.

[viodea]

I asked because I didn't want to miss something that's good due to not knowing the appealing part of it.

[SDguy]

If only there were some good pics of the anthias in the display at the Long Beach Aquarium Of The Pacific :drool:

[LunarDDS]

Go look at a video of a natural reef and you'll understand. They are everywhere and many like to keep a school in the tank just to give it a natural look.

[xxtriggermanxx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14479844#post14479844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigJay
I'm with you, blue chromis are prettier than anthias.

The only exception is maybe the one striking male anthias in a whole group of 6 or so fish.

I have both and must respectfully disagree.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/xxtriggermanxx/rayspictures237.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/xxtriggermanxx/tankpictures281.jpg

[LuvAngels88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14482986#post14482986 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xxtriggermanxx
I have both and must respectfully disagree.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/xxtriggermanxx/rayspictures237.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/xxtriggermanxx/tankpictures281.jpg


WOW! Those are gorgeous! What kind of Anthias are they?

[sunfish11]

They do interact with each other and look beautiful in groups. Here are a couple of photos I took of some different types.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lmiller11/MaleAnthias-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lmiller11/NeatAnthias.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lmiller11/AnthiasFemale.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lmiller11/SunburstAnthias.jpg

[blakemeadows]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14483711#post14483711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LuvAngels88
WOW! Those are gorgeous! What kind of Anthias are they?

They are female orange lyretail anthias and the first picture of sunfish11's post is what a male looks like

[sunfish11]

Or the males can be just purple like this guy. It depends where they are from geographically. It isn't a great photo, but you get the idea.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lmiller11/MaleAnthiasfin.jpg

[MattL]

Chromis are pretty, IMO, but they just kind of sit there. With Anthias, they are always doing something interesting. One minute, the male is asserting his dominance. The next, they are in a tight shoal. Then they are all scattered doing their own thing. Then the male decides again to assert his dominance. It never ends. Plus, they are almost day glow orange. I think the reason there are so few pictures of them is because, well, good luck getting them to stay still for a photo.

Matt:cool:

[Toddrtrex]

I have only had a Fathead/Sunburst (( lost it to my mistake )), and though it was great looking. While it was more of a homebody -- compared to other anthias, still plan on getting another one one day.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/fat2.jpg

[dcmander]

i think they are the best kind of orange you could add to your reef...thats why i like them. orange lyretail anthias are aweome.

[viodea]

I guess I'll try to check them out in person.

[mflamb]

I have 9 Ignitus, and 3 Bartlett's. They school with 3 Chromis. It's the coolest thing to see them swim around together, in and out of the rocks and corals.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/th_MOV00792.jpg (http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/?action=view&current=MOV00792.flv)

[will16]

Chromis don't do it for me. I love my fathead.

http://www.pbase.com/willgtp/image/109625172.jpg

[sassafrass]

I think they look very nice in a group!!
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn292/sassafrass8/Picture247.jpg

[sassafrass]

Or alone!
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn292/sassafrass8/Picture005-1.jpg

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

I like my anthias a lot they are vary active swimmers.

[viodea]

I remember I read somewhere they need lots of swimming room.
Which anthias will be best for a 4'x2'x2' 120G tank? I have a pretty open aquascape.

[SkyPapa]

I have 3 Lyretails and 2 Bartletts in this 120g, along with 5 chromis and a few other fish.
Here is the dominant Lyre.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm161/skypapa/_DSC3377-1.jpg

[michellejy]

I have 3 lyretails in my 120 as well.

This is the male.
http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww199/mjyau1/AnthiasMale.jpg

[SkyPapa]

I tried a beautiful male 3 weeks ago the same size as my pic above and the pictured fish killed the male.